Tag: Elvis Presley

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Diabetic Pastry Chef’s Sugar-Free Apricot Brandy Pound Cake Recipe

Living with Type 2 diabetes doesn’t compromise the Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris’s creativity in the kitchen. After attending culinary school, Stacey taught herself how to make pound cake, pecan rolls, pies, muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods with about half the carbohydrates in traditional bakery items. 

If you’re feeling deprived of your favorite holiday treats because you’re living with diabetes, then check out this new recipe from our friend, Stacey. 

From her tasty treats to her outlook on life, this pastry chef keeps things as sweet as can be as well as … sugar-free!

Diabetic Pastry Chef’s Holiday Recipe

Diabetic Pastry Chef‘s Sugar-Free Apricot Brandy Pound Cake Recipe

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups butter, softened

3 cups sugar-substitute of your choice

6 eggs

1 tsp orange extract

1 tsp lemon extract

1 tsp almond extract

1/4 cup apricot brandy

3 cups cake flour, sifted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube cake or bundt pan. Cream butter and gradually add sugar substitute. Continue creaming until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Blend in extracts and brandy. Gradually add the flour and beat until smooth.

Pour the cake batter into the tube pan. Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean and the edges of the cake have come away from the sides of the pan. Cool for 20 minutes in the pan before unmolding. Cool completely. Add glaze and arrange apricots and mint on top.

Glaze Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar-free apricot preserves

1Tbsp. apricot brandy or leftover apricot nectar from the can

1 8-ounce can of apricot halves, drained

fresh mint for garnishing

Directions

Heat the apricot preserves until melted. Remove from heat and stir in brandy or nectar. Spread the warm glaze over the cake and sides. Garnish with the apricot halves, which can also be glazed, and garnish with the mint. Enjoy

Stacey Notes for the Best Results:

This recipe is revised from an old Ebony magazine recipe. It is a showstopper! It works well for holidays. I have made it as is. I have also made it using canola butter in place of whole butter. I have successfully made the cake by cutting the butter to 1 cup and adding 1/2 cup sour cream. I suppose yogurt would also work in place of the sour cream. You can read more about Stacey’s experience making her Sugar-Free Apricot Brandy Pound Cake recipe on her blog.

I generally mix my sugar substitutes to get the best flavor, baking properties, and health results. For this cake, I used 1 cup of Splenda, 1 cup of Stevia in the Raw, and 1 cup of Whey Low. Do not try to use Splenda alone unless you’re using Splenda for Baking.

If you’re interested in making over one of your holiday specialties with sugar substitutes, Stacey recommends using a blend of sugar substitutes in your recipe rather than just one for the best results. 

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Don’t Miss Bergdorf Goodman’s Holiday Windows 2024

One of the things I eagerly anticipate every holiday season is the stunning artistry and craftsmanship showcased in the Bergdorf Goodman windows. Each year, they bring a sense of sophisticated and extravagant holiday elegance, making you feel like you’re stepping into a delightful bubble of champagne! There’s just something magical about the way they glow at night, capturing the glamor of New York City.

Did you know that planning for these breathtaking windows starts eight months earlier, back in February?

A dedicated team of about 100 people works together on everything from design to production, with installation taking almost three weeks!

This year’s theme, “Toast of the Town,” is fascinating as it celebrates the 200th anniversary of Fifth Avenue and highlights its vibrant role in New York City’s character. Each window tells its own story.

One window, for instance, honors the city’s beautiful parks that line Fifth Avenue, like Washington Square and Central Park. It’s a lovely leafy oasis filled with vibrant greens, charming creatures, and even some statues! I especially love the giant praying mantis they included.

Another window bursts with bright yellow to pay tribute to NYC’s iconic yellow taxis! It features a stunning starburst made from a collage of cab parts.

Then there’s the magnificent red window celebrates the New York Public Library, featuring the dazzling bejeweled lions, Patience, and Fortitude.

Check out the giant typewriter and minature sculpture of the library!!

A dreamy lavender window showcases chic fashion and shopping from some of the city’s most famous department stores, while a brilliant blue window highlights the landmarks along 5th Avenue, including the Flatiron Building, the Empire State Building, and the Plaza.

And let’s not forget to mention the dozens of sparkling couture pigeons by Burke & Pryde!

They’re sprinkled throughout each window, and no two are the same.

Each one is adorned with colorful sequins and unique patterns that truly dazzle the eyes.

As David Hoey, the senior director of visual presentation for Bergdorf Goodman, shared with the New York Post, “The windows will appear to be a collage from afar, but up close, visitors can appreciate all kinds of ‘micro details.’” It’s such a treat to explore all the intricate elements that make these displays so special!

We’re taking about ways to celebrate a Diabetes ‘BLUE’ Christmas with holiday musical inspiration from Elvis Presley.

Are you feeling blue?

The holiday season triggers mood swings for many of us.  We may stress about finances, fight with family members, feel overwhelmed with commitments, slip into bad eating habits, ignore blood sugars and/or gain weight.

We will be discussing ways to not let diabetes dim your dazzle during the holiday season with our panel of experts.

Mr. Divabetic’s guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDCES, CDN, Mandy Reece PHARMD, CDE, BC-ADM, FAADE, Rachel Zinman,  the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage. 

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Little Richard: I Am Everything Is Worth Seeing

I’ll admit that before I saw the Little Richard: I Am Everything documentary, my shortsightedness only allowed me to see the caricature he put forth in the media, not the multi-talented, compassionate, multi-dimensional person. Sadly, I didn’t realize he created this fanciful, rhinestone-encrusted facade so that he could do what he loved – entertain people of all colors. 

 
Little Richard’s story is a sad commentary on American Life. The adult black man must be neutered and robbed of their masculinity and sexuality, and depth of skin tone to appeal to a mass audience. This isn’t new news, but watching Little Richard’s life unfold, and his struggles to be an entertainer is heartbreaking. The lack of respect and acknowledgment for creating Rock n’ Roll would make anyone angry. That he frequently ended a heartwrenching declaration of being done wrong by society with a  belly laugh and a high note is incredible. 
 
The film makes you wonder how race, gender, and sexuality affect your journey in life. Why should I feel threatened by a strong, masculine black male? Why does my sexuality as a gay or bisexual man make me more appealing to the mainstream but less respected? 
 
It’s easy to see that the stage was where Little Richard felt he could be himself. He was the supernova he claimed to be. How else could he have survived his terrible upbringing and created a long-lasting legacy if he was anything less? Little Richard makes you believe anything is possible. Throughout his life, he overcame many obstacles that would have stopped most people, including me. I am glad someone as talented and compassionate as the Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning film producer and director Lisa Cortés told his story. However, after watching her documentary, I can honestly say that his life is worthy of a series of documentaries. He led so many different and exciting lives in one lifetime. 
 
“There was really no one like him,” says Cortés of the flamboyant pioneer.
 
Her film follows Little Richard from his childhood in Macon, Georgia, through the many ups and downs of a long and storied career. It adeptly reveals the layers that influenced the person who became the performer no one could ignore. It is also the story of rock and roll’s birth, queer culture, and being a Black gay man in America. 
 
One of my big takeaways was learning about the singer, songwriter, and pianist, Esquerita, known for his frenetic performances. Little Richard credits him, along with Marion Anderson and Mahalia Jackson, for influencing his music, singing, piano playing, and electrifying performing style. 

My big takeaway from the documentary was Little Richard’s lifelong struggles with his sexual identity and financial compensation. I left the theater wondering if he ever had a fulfilling relationship with a  man and whether he was fully compensated for his early hits. 

 
His early life growing up in Macon, Georgia, was heartbreaking.
 
Little Richard’s father beat him routinely for being ‘different’ than his other sons. Other boys bullied him. Little Richard dressed in his mother’s clothes and wore makeup and long hair. His father kicked him out of the house at the age of twelve. 

 
Unfortunately, the blame and shame his father inflicted on him are still common today. As much as people like to tell us that things are different, they aren’t for everyone. Many young LGBTQ+ people are not accepted by their immediate family. I found out LGBTQ youth compose 40% of the homeless youth population with one click of a Google search.
 
Interestingly, wearing makeup helped him to crossover to white audiences. He crafted an appearance to succeed. Because he wore pancake foundation, eyeliner, and mascara, he was considered less threatening to the fathers of white girls than other black male entertainers like James Brown and Fats Domino. He was still arrested in many cities for exciting teenage audiences. 
 
Luther Vandross wore makeup and rhinestones too. Watching the film, I wondered if Luther used rhinestones and mascara to make himself seem less threatening.

We can assume that the same people who found James Brown threatening would find Luther’s six-foot, dark-skinned appearance identical.  Luther, like Little Richard, wanted crossover success. Who could blame them? Their white counterparts sold ten times as many albums as they did. In the documentary, Little Richard admits that Pat Boone’s bland rendition sold more copies of Tutti Frutti than he did!
 
Saying that Little Richard was gay is a cop-out too. He was sexual.
 

“I had all these orgies going on,” he reveals in the new documentary “Little Richard: I Am Everything.”

He loved both men and women: “I just loved whatever came. You know, I didn’t refuse nothin’ if you knocked on my door and I wanted more. Fo sho.”

In a few interviews on YouTube, he identifies himself as ‘gay,’  but I think bisexual or ‘omnisexual,’ like the phrase Sophie B. Hawkins coined, is probably more on point. Society has a hard time acknowledging that some people love both sexes equally. 

Is Little Richard the Architect of Rock n Roll? 
Hell, yes!  No one did what he did before him. He borrowed from other performers like Mahalia Jackson to create his unique recipe for performing. Every entertainer is subconsciously or consciously influenced by others who came before them. The documentary proves his claims of creating Rock n’ Roll. 
There’s also no doubt that his black queerness stopped him from being fully acknowledged. Little Richard would have a bigger imprint on our society if born white. During his lifetime, his music, style, musicianship, and performances impacted everyone from Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones to Elton John, David Bowie, and Prince. He deserves much more respect for his contributions. 
Fortunately, he found an unlikely ally in Dick Clark, who honored him with the Merit Award at the American Music Awards in 1997. Perhaps Dick Clark, the host of American Bandstand, was more aware than most of Little Richard’s enormous contribution to music. 
Little Richard’s religious background, as much as his skin tone, seemed to have stopped society from acknowledging his contributions or enjoying financial compensation. His abrupt departures from performing at various times cost him substantial financial losses.  He seemed so deeply conflicted between his rock n’ roll lifestyle and his religious beliefs that he broke recording contracts and signed away the rights to future royalties to his early hits. However, at the height of his fame, Little Richard said he was making half a cent per record sold. 
“I looked around and didn’t have any money,” said Little Richard. “Those record companies paid me nothing, you know? Nobody had paid me a dime. All those hits.”
He returned to performing Rock n’ Roll music only when he was desperate for money. The electricity and energy of many of these comeback performances influenced people like the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger admits it too, and Nile Rogers states that Little Richard heavily influenced David Bowie. 
Little Richard’s frustrations about the lack of respect from the music industry came to a head at the 1988 Grammy Awards. While presenting Best New Artist with the New York Dolls David Johansen, the legendary musician pointed at Johansen’s pompadour hairdo — a carbon copy of how he wore it in his ‘50s heyday — and remarked, “I used to wear my hair like that. They take everything I get — they take it from me.”

 
Little Richard passed away in 2020 at 87 following complications from bone cancer. 
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4 Ways to Thrive during the Holidays When You Are a Caregiver

1. Identify specific stressors

While it’s easy to lump stress altogether, identifying where your stress is coming from is necessary. Here are a few factors family caregivers often say are causing them anxiety and stress:

Worrying that the senior’s needs aren’t being met

Feeling concerned about neglecting a spouse, partner, or children

Lacking enough time to get things done

Missing work due to caregiving duties

Needing more time for self-care

Once you’ve identified where you are struggling, it’s easier to find solutions. For example, call your church or synagogue to see if they have a volunteer visitor program for homebound seniors. This assistance would allow your loved one to have a regular visitor, and you to take a break.

2. Accept that no one can do it all

One mistake caregivers routinely make is thinking they can and must do everything alone. In most situations, that just isn’t realistic. Before the holidays are in full swing this year, set a goal to be more pragmatic. Here are a few ideas to consider for your holiday goal setting:

Simplify holiday celebrations: It really is okay to simplify holiday traditions while you are busy caregiving. Instead of cooking a formal, sit-down dinner for family and friends, ask everyone to bring a dish or find a restaurant you can all meet at for a meal. Remind yourself that it doesn’t have to be forever, just until life is a little calmer.

Responding to invitations: Most people have a difficult time saying no. Set your feelings of guilt aside and don’t feel obligated to attend every holiday event you are invited to. On the flip side, don’t feel guilty if you want to go to a party and have someone else stay with your loved one. A night out to laugh and enjoy yourself will likely make you a better caregiver.

3. Your health matters, too

The hectic pace of the holidays combined with the demands of caregiving, can lead many to take shortcuts with their diet and to skip exercising. Neither is a good idea.

If you need to rely on fast food or take out during the holiday rush, review the menus (and nutritional content!) at your favorite restaurants and opt for those that are the healthiest. This information on healthy foods at big chain restaurants will help.

4. Explore senior care options

Caregiving is a lot of work any time of year. Before the height of the holiday season, explore your local senior care options. Adult day centers and home care are two possibilities. Respite care and assisted living are others. You can take advantage of these services on a short-term or permanent basis.

Sometimes, during the holiday season, caregivers begin to realize that a senior loved one needs more assistance than can be provided at home. If this situation sounds familiar, we’d like to help.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Elvis Presley

We’re talking about how to not let diabetes dim your dazzle during the holiday season with our panel of experts on Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Elvis Presley.

Guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, Mandy Reece PHARMD, CDE, BC-ADM, FAADE, Rachel Zinman,  the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage. 

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music.

The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

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How to Stay Merry During the Holidays with Diabetes

Keep ‘your house a home’ during the holidays by learning how to prevent a diabetes health-related complication such as stroke from occurring. Tune in Divabetic’s seasonal Diabetes Late Nite podcasts featuring expert advice, powerful testimonials and your favorite holidays songs. Enjoy every episode on demand for free!

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Mariah Carey

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey’s 1994 carol ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ officially hits the top of the Hot 100 charts for the first time! We’ve got all of her holiday hits on Diabetes Late Nite along with expert advice on how to stay MERRY while managing diabetes this season.

Having diabetes shouldn’t stop you from enjoying holiday celebrations and travel. With some planning and a little preparation, you can stay healthy on the road and at holiday gatherings with friends and family.

Preparation is the most important step in managing diabetes during holiday travel and festivities. Know what you’ll be eating, how to enjoy a few traditional favorites while sticking with a healthy meal plan, how to pack necessary supplies for a trip, and you’re ready to celebrate!

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, ‘Unleash Your Inner Diabetes Dominator’ Author Daniele Hargenrader, CEO of Insulcloud Jose Luis and Mama Rose Marie. 

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Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Elvis Presley

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Elvis Presley

We’re taking about ways to celebrate a Diabetes ‘BLUE’ Christmas with musical inspiration from Elvis Presley.

Feeling blue?

The holiday season triggers mood swings for many of us. We may stress about finances, fight with family members, feel overwhelmed with commitments, slip into bad eating habits, ignore blood sugars and/or gain weight.

We will be discussing ways to not let diabetes dim your dazzle during the holiday season with our panel of experts. Guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, Mandy Reece PHARMD, CDE, BC-ADM, FAADE, Rachel Zinman, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music.

LISTEN

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Kelly Clarkson

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Kelly Clarkson

We’re talking about celebrating the holidays without compromising our diabetes wellness with holiday music from Kelly Clarkson.

“Wrapped in Red” quickly becomes a welcome gift to fans of the powerful pop star as Kelly Clarkson mixes classic carols and hymns with several originals co-written by the singer.

Kelly Clarkson’s inspiring us to lend our ‘voice’ to topics such as the link between HIV medications and type 2 diabetes, how the homeless manage diabetes, great gift ideas for loved ones with diabetes, and how you can lose weight during holidays (!) on this podcast.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Kathy Gold RN, MSN, CDE, FAADE, Glucose Revival’s Kris Maynard, Dr. Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE, BC=ADM, BCACP, FAADE, Maria Sakowitz, MS, RDN, LDN, CLT, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

LISTEN

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‘Blue Christmas’ Sugarfree Lemon and Blueberry Tartlet Recipe from the Diabetic Pastry Chef

Over the past year we have shared healthy recipes, style and entertaining suggestions and diabetes care tips to help you embrace holiday celebrations without compromising your diabetes self-care.

We know many people in our Divabetic community don’t like to celebrate the holidays including Christmas Eve and Christmas because they feel they may disrupt their diabetes care. But with a little pre-planning and guidance from your healthcare entourage you can still enjoy the festivities without failing your diabetes.

Our good friend, Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ offers this Sugar-Free Lemon and Blueberry Tartlet recipe to add to your menu for ‘Blue Christmas’ Day celebration.

Long after singer Fats Domino found his thrill on Blueberry Hill, researchers have found some thrilling news about blueberries. These tiny berries may play a big role in helping manage diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), berries are a diabetes superfood because they’re packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber — plus, they’re low-GI. Three quarters of a cup of fresh blueberries has 62 calories and 16 grams (g) of carbohydrates. When you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar within a healthy range, thereby lowering your risk of certain diabetes complications, including diabetic retinopathy, or nerve damage; kidney disease; eyesight issues like glaucoma or cataracts; and serious life-threatening illnesses like heart disease and stroke.

Here’s Stacey Harris’ fabulous Sugar-free Lemon Blueberry Tartlets Recipe for you and your family to enjoy!

Curd Ingredients:
3 large eggs
½ to 3/4 cup Whey Low® Type D Granular
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
2 tbsp. grated lemon zest
1 pint blueberries, washed
 
Directions:
Whisk the eggs and Whey Low® Type D Granular until smooth in the top of a double boiler filled with water.  Add the remaining ingredients except for the blueberries and cook over medium heat while whisking continuously.  When the mixture resembles slightly whipped cream, remove from heat. Cover and stir frequently while it cools.  Once cool, stir in the blueberries and refrigerate.
Note:  Alternatively, after cooling, the curd can be mixed with an equal part of whipped cream before adding blueberries and refrigerating.
Pastry Ingredients:
3 tbsp raw sugar or Whey Low® Type D Granular, sifted
1 1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour
¼ tsp salt
2/3 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp. ice water
 
Directions:
Combine dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.  Cut in butter with pastry cutter until mixture is crumbly like coarse meal.  Add lemon juice and water and mix until a small ball can be formed.  Gather mixture into a ball and flatten into a disk.  Cover and refrigerate for an hour.
Remove dough from refrigerator and roll out on floured board.  Cut into 12 5-inch rounds.  Line 12 large muffin cups with the dough, prick the bottoms and sides of the dough with the tines of a fork.  Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for approximately 15 minutes or until golden. Cool in pan and carefully remove.  Fill each cup with the lemon-blueberry mixture and garnish each with a blueberry.  Yield:  12 servings
Confused about Carbs?  Our friend, registered dietitian, Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND shares her ‘7 Tips to Tricks to Carb Count Like a Pro’ on her blog. One of the tips we learned was that the total amount of carbohydrate matters so much more than the source of carbohydrate or the type of carbohydrate. READ MORE
When Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef was studying to become a pastry chef, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Rather than give up her chosen profession, she began creating more diabetic-friendly desserts. By using blended flours and a combination of sugar and sugar substitutes, reducing milk carbohydrates, and eliminating trans fats,  Stacey Harris has transformed more than 200 desserts into diabetic-friendly delights

The Diabetic Pastry Chef’s cookbooks are filled with information on the definition, treatment, and prevention of diabetes and include complete nutritional information (calories, fat, cholesterol, sugars, and protein) for each recipe. She uses Splendar and presents other sugar-free alternatives for pancakes, muffins, cakes, cookies, and pies. Stacey Harris shares the sweet secrets of her simple-to-use formula that will convert most any recipe into a lower-carb alternative without compromising taste or quality. Now ‘divabetics’ can enjoy Chocolate Truffle Cookies, Blueberry Tartlets, Cream Cheese Cupcakes, Coffee Bread Pudding, and hundreds of others. BUY NOW

“In The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris proves you can prepare and eat wonderful food and still stay well within the guidelines of food for a person with diabetes.”—Alan L. Rubin, M.D., author of Diabetes for Dummies and Diabetes Cookbook for Dummies

On December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we’re celebrating a Blue Christmas. I chose this theme in December because ‘Blue’ is the color that I feel is most closely associated with diabetes and more importantly, it gives us an opportunity to raise awareness for the mental health issues related to diabetes. Guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Rachel Zinman, Dr. Mandy Reece PharmD, CDE, BC-ADM, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

https://youtu.be/Uwfz5mMLSDM

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Gluten Free – Are You Kidding Me?

Scan the grocery aisles, neighborhood bakery or office cupboard and it’s impossible to miss the multitude of products proclaiming that they are “gluten-free.”  Or go on Instagram and be barraged by yet another celebrity who has banished gluten from their diet. And as you can see by the photo below, it looks like even savvy NYC Christmas tree vendors are jumping on the bandwagon. 

All kidding aside, I can’t help but wonder if there’s any truth to the gluten free food trend? Is it real or hype? And should you really be concerned about all or any of the gluten lurking around in your diet? 

I reached out to Virginia-based Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, author of ‘The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition’ to help make sense of the chaos surrounding the gluten free food trend. Here’s our interview:

Q: Is Gluten Free real or hype?

Jill Weisenberger, (JW): It’s both. It’s for real and it’s hype. 

Completely avoiding gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley, is critical for anyone with celiac disease and anyone with a diagnosed gluten sensitivity. It’s a problem when people self-diagnose and stop consuming gluten. You really need to nail down the diagnosis before starting a gluten-free diet, which is the only treatment for celiac disease. The only way to diagnose celiac disease is to have an intestinal biopsy after regularly consuming gluten. So if people have the biopsy after avoiding gluten, they might be told that they don’t have celiac disease when they really do. 

Celiac disease, by the way, is an autoimmune disease, and gluten damages the small intestine.

It’s hype when it comes to weight loss and general health for anyone who is not intolerant to gluten. Only those people with celiac disease or another gluten intolerance should be on a gluten-free diet. If others feel more energetic or sleep better or have other benefits, it’s probably from an improved diet and not from the avoidance of gluten. Since gluten is in wheat, a gluten-free diet usually means fewer baked goods and less highly processed snacks and other foods. I think people feel better because they replaced packaged snacks with wholesome, health-boosting foods like fruit and nuts and yogurt – not because they gave up gluten.

Q: What does ‘gluten free’ really mean?

JW: Someone with celiac or other gluten intolerance must avoid gluten from all sources. This is not easy! Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, contaminated oats and all products made with them. You’ll find gluten in baked goods, candy, bread, soups, soy sauce, beer, even lots of lunch meats and cottage cheese. And even lipsticks and medications can contain gluten.

Q: What can I eat on a gluten free diet?

JW: Certainly someone with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity has lots of restrictions, but there are lots of good options too. It’s important to consume the least restricted diet possible. This is true for everyone. By eating a large variety of foods, you will get the most possible nutrients. Focus on fruits, vegetables, milk, lean protein sources like fish and poultry, legumes like lentils and black beans. There are lots of grains that are gluten free. A few to try out are buckwheat, millet, quinoa, rice and sorghum. 

Q: How difficult is it to be gluten free?

JW: Fortunately, there are lots of gluten-free products identified in supermarkets, but people have shared with me that avoiding all gluten is difficult. This is especially true in restaurants, other people’s homes and at parties. Even well-meaning waitstaff and friends get confused and foods that may contain hidden gluten. Condiments can be a problem. Another big problem is cross contamination. Say you have celiac disease, but live with people who don’t. If someone spreads mustard on bread and puts the knife back into the mustard, it may now be contaminated with gluten.

Q: Who should be gluten free?

All people with celiac disease and those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity must follow a gluten-free diet. Both type 1 diabetes and celiac disease are autoimmune diseases. Research shows that they have a similar genetic basis. Often people with type 1 diabetes will also have celiac disease. Everyone with type 1 diabetes should discuss getting tested for celiac with their doctor. People with diabetes but without celiac disease or documented gluten sensitivity do not need to eat a gluten-free diet.

Q: How about people with type 2 diabetes? Should they be on a gluten free diet?

JW: Celiac disease is not more common among people with type 2 diabetes than it is among the general public.  I don’t recommend a gluten-free diet for people who don’t need it because the more restricted a diet is, the fewer health-boosting nutrients it’s likely to provide. 

Q: Why would I choose to eat gluten free foods if I’m not gluten intolerant?

JW: There’s no need to eat foods made specifically for a gluten-free population unless you have celiac disease or a diagnosed gluten sensitivity.

Q: Does ‘gluten free’ mean healthier? or What’s the biggest misconception about gluten free?

JW: Definitely not. In fact, gluten-free breads and other products often lack the iron and vitamins found in traditional products. This is why it’s so important to work with a registered dietitian nutritionist skilled in gluten-free diets. Some people think that foods marked gluten-free or free of another nutrient must be more healthful. This is false.

Q: Is a gluten free donut better for me than a regular donut?

JW: Sorry no. A donut is a donut is a donut. It’s a now and then food – gluten or no gluten.

Q: Can I be gluten free without eating gluten free packaged foods?

JW: Yes. Just like someone can eat a wholesome gluten-containing diet without relying on packaged foods, it’s possible to eat a variety of foods without gluten without buying a single special product. But it’s okay to buy them. Just be intentional about it. Gluten-free doesn’t mean wholesome. Again, this is why working with a skilled registered dietitian nutritionist is so important. 

Q: Jill, any final thoughts on gluten free diets?

JW: This is potentially a difficult diet to follow, and it leaves you vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies. You can find a RDN to help you at eatright.org.

Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, author of The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition, is your resource for all things nutrition, food and diabetes.

The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition offers bite-sized nutrition tips for busy people looking for solutions to their everyday food and nutrition problems. This book is filled with diet strategies for weight loss and overall better health that can help anyone, on any schedule, eat and feel better. Meant to be picked up and read piecemeal, every page is packed with interesting tips designed to improve nutrition and relieve stress and guilt. Healthier habits can fit with any schedule!

Whether she’s speaking, writing, chatting on social media, appearing on TV or working with individuals, Jill’s candid and energetic approach appeals to busy people, and her sound nutrition and fitness advice gets results. In fact, her appreciation for science and ability to translate science into actionable information earned her a place in US News & World Report’s 10 Dietitian’s You Need to Follow on Social Media.

Jill Weisenberger‘s specialties include weight control, heart health, diabetes, pre-diabetes, wellness and nutrition for people with hectic lives. She’ll make nutrition science understandable, realistic and oh so delicious.

On December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we’re celebrating a Blue Christmas. I chose this theme in December because ‘Blue’ is the color that I feel is most closely associated with diabetes and more importantly, it gives us an opportunity to raise awareness for the mental health issues related to diabetes. Guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Rachel Zinman, Dr. Mandy Reece PharmD, CDE, BC-ADM, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

 

https://youtu.be/Uwfz5mMLSDM

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Blue Christmas by Poet Lorraine Brooks

Enjoy this original poem, ‘Blue Christmas’ by Lorraine  Brooks written for December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Blue Christmas by Lorraine Brooks 

Thinking about the holidays and all the endless cheer
Carols, lights and Christmas trees, and ringing in the year…
Friends and folks and families all gather in the home
We look around at all the hope, but sometimes feel alone.

While others eat and drink and dine enjoying foods we make
I’m calculating insulin, and how much I should take.
If I want pie or something sweet, I have to stop and think.
But other people can just eat, and never have to blink.

If I am honest and up front, I have to just admit
That all the food around me sometimes makes me want to quit.
The holidays can make me sad with all thats going on
I wish that I could just be glad, and sing a happy song.

Its better to be pleasant though, and think of all I’ve got
And if I can remember it, I know I’ve got a lot.
This time of year can be so blue, we have to just remember
It’s only one month of the year…only the month of December.

There’s lots of colors that I want to be, and I choose not to be blue.
I’d rather be gold or purple or pink, and maybe lavender too.
i’m not gonna stress about all,the treats, I’ll try to be sensible though.
And after I eat maybe I’ll go outside for a walk in the snow.

So,I will have a holiday that’s full of fun and cheer
And I’ll be happy and give thanks that I made another year…
and I’ll enjoy my Christmas day, and I will make it right.
And I will have a Christmas that’s the way it should be – white.

On December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we’re celebrating a Blue Christmas. I chose this theme in December because ‘Blue’ is the color that I feel is most closely associated with diabetes and more importantly, it gives us an opportunity to raise awareness for the mental health issues related to diabetes. Guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Rachel Zinman, Dr. Mandy Reece PharmD, CDE, BC-ADM, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Are you feeling ‘blue’ this holiday season?

If so, you’re not alone. While it’s true that sadness and/or depression at holiday time can be a reaction to the stresses and demands of the season, people with diabetes are more likely to be depressed than others states David Spero BSN, RN for Diabetes Self-Management.

Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression. Depression can lead to poor lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy eating, less exercise, smoking and weight gain — all of which are risk factors for diabetes.

The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together. And effectively managing one can have a positive effect on the other.

If you think you might be depressed, seek help right away. Your doctor or diabetes educator can refer you to a mental health professional.

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Is Chocolate Throwing A Wrench Into Your Healthy Diet?

“Deck the halls with bars of chocolate!!! Fa la la la la la la la!”

Chocolate seems to be everywhere this holiday season and it even shows up in the strangest formations!

Recently, I stumbled upon a chocolate store that sells chocolate in the shape of wrenches when I was wandering around the Holiday Market at the Oculus in New York.

I took one look at the chocolate wrenches imagined how one bite of chocolate has the power to derail a healthy diet faster and leave your good intentions spinning out of control!

Every day in the news there seems to be another conflicting health study about chocolate. One day, the media is exclaiming that a bar of chocolate is healthier than workout and then the next day they’re telling you to avoid it at all costs. I’m sure I’m not the only one confused about this topic.

Thankfully, these chocolate wrenches inspired me to reach out to Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND via Twitter for her advice about chocolate. Below are Jill’s answers to my questions:

Q: Can chocolate can be a part of a healthy diet?’

JW: You bet it can be!  Unless you have an allergy or other intolerance, any food can be part of a healthy eating pattern. I always tell my clients that you can eat anything you want. You just can’t eat everything you want and in any quantity that you might want.

Q: Do you actually eat chocolate?

JW: Chocolate is one of my favorite foods, so I am queen of making of it fit. In fact, I eat a small amount of chocolate nearly every day. Since I look forward to it daily, it helps me stick to a good diet all day long. I build my chocolate in as a treat. And I never think of it as a cheat.”

Q: Should I believe any of those health studies they love to show on TV?

JW: A few pieces of good news about chocolate. Research has found that dark chocolate might help lower insulin resistance, which is especially important to people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Other studies suggest that chocolate can help with certain types of cognition among adults, lower blood pressure and reduce chronic inflammation. The compounds in chocolate that probably help confer health benefits are naturally-occurring flavanols, a group of phytonutrients also found in tea, fruits and vegetables.

Q: Can you share some tips for eating chocolate?

JW: 1.  You cannot eat chocolate with abandon. It still has calories, added sugars and saturated fats. Fortunately, about half of the saturated fat in chocolate is stearic acid, which does not raise cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, the other half is palmitic acid, which does raise cholesterol levels.

2. When buying cocoa powder, read labels. Avoid the types that say Dutched cocoa or processed with alkali. This type of processing destroys the flavanols.

3. Choose the darkest chocolate you can. There is no guarantee that any particular chocolate is rich in flavanols because some types of processing destroy them. But chocolate with a greater amount of cocoa solids is likely to have more flavanols than chocolate with a smaller percentage of cocoa solids.

4. Choose chocolate candy over chocolate baked goods. And skip the caramels and cream fillings. The research suggests that chocolate has benefits, not other types of chocolate desserts.

5. Sit down, slow down and love the heck out of it. No guilt allowed. When you eat mindfully – whether it’s chocolate or your dinner – you have another opportunity to experience happiness.

Q: Any final thoughts you’d like to share for chocolate lovers?

JW: I’d rather satisfy a chocolate craving with chocolate than try to satisfy it with something else. Pick your favorite treat and treat yourself. I really enjoy dark chocolate-covered almonds. I feel good about both the chocolate and the nut. Sometimes I want plain chocolate. Or maybe chocolate that I melt with peanut butter and use as a dip for apple slices or a graham cracker. Another treat is melted chocolate with strawberries. Still another is a bowl of fresh raspberries with chocolate shavings. These are all healthful ways to enjoy a sweet, delicious treat.

Jill Weisenberger is your resource for all things nutrition, food and diabetes. Whether she’s speaking, writing, chatting on social media, appearing on TV or working with individuals, her candid and energetic approach appeals to busy people, and her sound nutrition and fitness advice gets results. In fact, her appreciation for science and ability to translate science into actionable information earned her a place in US News & World Report’s 10 Dietitian’s You Need to Follow on Social Media.

Food & Nutrition Solutions by Jill offers healthy and delicious recipe ideas and nutrition strategies that are based in sound nutrition science. Whether you’re looking for disease prevention or management, nutritious meals that people actually want to eat, or truths (and myths!) about the latest food trends, get reasonable and realistic tips from expert Jill Weisenberger.

Her specialties include weight control, heart health, diabetes, prediabetes, wellness and nutrition for people with hectic lives. She’ll make nutrition science understandable, realistic and oh so delicious.

On December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we’re celebrating a Blue Christmas. I chose this theme in December because ‘Blue’ is the color that I feel is most closely associated with diabetes and more importantly, it gives us an opportunity to raise awareness for the mental health issues related to diabetes. Guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Rachel Zinman, Dr. Mandy Reece PharmD, CDE, BC-ADM, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Are you feeling ‘blue’ this holiday season?

If so, you’re not alone. While it’s true that sadness and/or depression at holiday time can be a reaction to the stresses and demands of the season, people with diabetes are more likely to be depressed than others states David Spero BSN, RN for Diabetes Self-Management.

Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression. Depression can lead to poor lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy eating, less exercise, smoking and weight gain — all of which are risk factors for diabetes.

The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together. And effectively managing one can have a positive effect on the other.

If you think you might be depressed, seek help right away. Your doctor or diabetes educator can refer you to a mental health professional.

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Our Twelfth Day of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas from Doris Hobbs

On the twelfth day of Blue Christmas, my true friend, Doris Hobbs sent to me a T1D Exposed calendar to celebrate people living well with diabetes.

Divabetic is celebrating a Blue Christmas to bring attention to the mental health issues related to living with diabetes.

You probably know better than we do how diabetes affects your holiday experience. You might feel the weight of diabetes more at this time, because you can’t let go and celebrate like everyone else. Or maybe you do let go and then beat yourself up over it.

That’s why we asked our panel of experts, friends and past Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests to spread some holiday cheer by sharing their favorite products to help keep you ‘happy and healthy’ all year long.

Doris’ pick: The T1D Exposed Calendar features twelve powerful men and women living with type 1 diabetes who are showcasing a passion in their portrait. Type 1 diabetes is part of their lives, but is not the single story of their fascinating existence. Living with T1D changes a person’s body, and the T1D Exposed calendar features tasteful nude portraits of individuals embracing those changes and their lives with type one.

The mission of The Nude Diabetes Advocacy Project is to promote awareness, connect people living with type one diabetes (T1D), and fundraise for both local and global diabetes organizations.

“Shedding my clothes for diabetes awareness has brought me a sense of empowerment that I literally can’t express in words, says, Doris Hobbs aka ‘Miss June’.

A San Francisco based Luxury Liaison, Doris bridges the world of MEDIA with unmistakable elegance through both written Storytelling & Visual Imagery with her website, Rich In Love. This accomplished Media Expert and Fashion Doyenne breathes new life into her sought-after glamour persona & profitable branding campaigns while maintaining a voice as a Diabetes Awareness Advocate. 

“What the T1D Exposed calendar creators, Tara Layman and Kat Reed are doing is truly an artistic expression in regards to the auto-immune disease that is much needed in today’s society”

What was it like to pose nude since especially since shedding the clothes and he shame that is associated with our bodies can be difficult?

“Having never posed nude within my career as a luxury model I surprisingly wasn’t terrified; I actually had the opposite reaction. I instantly became rather invested and driven to move forward and participate,” says Doris Hobbs. “I literally didn’t want to leave the shoot as I feel so comfortable in my own skin for the first time. The emotion that overcame me when I set my eyes on the final image as “Miss June” was a glamorous moment I will forever remember.”

I love this fabulous T1D Exposed calendar! I admire the bravery and self acceptance of all 12 participants about their experience living with type 1 diabetes. There’s no shame in their game, and there shouldn’t be any in yours! Be inspired to show the world that you’re living well with diabetes. 

On December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we’re celebrating a Blue Christmas. I chose this theme in December because ‘Blue’ is the color that I feel is most closely associate with diabetes and more importantly, it gives us an opportunity to raise awareness for the mental health issues related to diabetes which are often overlooked and ignored. Some listeners may feel that talking about depression is depressing which is understandable. However, I feel it’s far more important to reach out to those coping with diabetes distress and burnout and let them know they are not alone.  Please join us!

TUNE IN! December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Elvis Presley on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6 PM, EST. We’re discussing ways to not let diabetes make you feel ‘blue’ during the holiday season with our panel of experts. Guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Rachel Zinman, Dr. Mandy Reece PharmD, CDE, BC-ADM, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Are you feeling ‘blue’ this holiday season?

If so, you’re not alone. While it’s true that sadness and/or depression at holiday time can be a reaction to the stresses and demands of the season, people with diabetes are more likely to be depressed than others states David Spero BSN, RN for Diabetes Self-Management.

Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression. Depression can lead to poor lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy eating, less exercise, smoking and weight gain — all of which are risk factors for diabetes.

The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together. And effectively managing one can have a positive effect on the other.

If you think you might be depressed, seek help right away. Your doctor or diabetes educator can refer you to a mental health professional.

https://youtu.be/Uwfz5mMLSDM

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